ABSTRACT: This study examines the behavior of trace- and rare-earth elements (REE) in different hydrothermal alteration facies (silicic, advanced argillic and argillic) of Cijulang high-sulfidation epithermal gold deposit, West Java, Indonesia. The results of the study indicate that remarkable differences in the behavior of trace elements and REE are observed in the studied alteration facies. All REE in the silicic facies are strongly depleted. In advanced argillic facies, Heavy rare-earth elements (HREE) are strongly depleted whereas light rare earth elements (LREE) are quite enriched. REE concentrations in the argillic facies show little or no variation with respect to fresh rock counterparts. A strong depletion of REE in the silicic facies is likely to be favored by the highly acidic nature of the hydrothermal fluids, the abundance of complexing ions such as Cl ˉ, F ˉ, and in the hydrothermal solutions and the absence of the secondary minerals that can fix the REE in their crystal structures. An apparent immobility of LREE in advanced argillic facies is possibly due to the presence of alunite. The immobility of REE in the argillic facies suggests the higher pH of the fluids, the lower water/rock ratios and the presence of the phyllosilicates minerals.
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